The high-speed chase stemmed from an armed robbery at a Belvidere cellphone store. Three suspects were pursued in a vehicle by Boone County law enforcement into Winnebago County, where they crashed into Williams’ vehicle in the 2000 block of South Perryville Road near Menards and CherryVale Mall.

Williams remained in critical condition for a week.

Ronaldo Fort, 19, DeAngelo Brooks, 19, and Bryant Locke, 20, were each arrested on charges of armed robbery. All three are being held in the Boone County Jail.

The armed robbery, the use of deadly force by an officer who exchanged gunfire with the suspects, and the fatal crash is being investigated by the Winnebago and Boone County Integrity Task Force.

Williams, a local attorney, was Jefferson High School’s Alumni Association president.

Mike Winters, the association’s vice president posted on Facebook: “Deeply, deeply saddened by the passing of Karen Williams tonight. We have all lost a dear friend, but gained an angel to watch over us!”

An online fund has been established to help Williams’ family with medical bills.